Water, Wind And The Cloud

 
“Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink, I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin current slides away, but eternity remains. I would drink deeper; fish fill the sky, whose bottom is pebbly with stars. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born.”
 
Henry David Thoreau wrote those lines about Walden Pond. Although many believe Thoreau was a recluse, he was no stranger to society while he lived at the Pond. He had frequent dinners with family and friends, and also had friends and the occasional curious neighbor visit him at his cabin. He explains, “I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.”
 
Growth, success and change just do not just happen. It only happens with intent. John Wooden the Wizard of Westwood, won ten national championships in twelve years, said,” every choice you make, makes you” Often when we consider change or improvement we try and change everything but ourselves. The best tactical plans are daily agendas.
 
The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The Leader adjusts the sails.” Leaders, real leaders can make these confessions:

• As a leader I may be in charge, but I have to realize I don’t have all the answers.
• As a leader I am not necessarily the smartest person in room.
• As a leader I may not even be the best leader in organization.

The goal of leadership is not to eradicate uncertainty, but rather navigate it. Adjust the sails.
 
Good things happen in good places. My Dad always said when discussing curfews with my Brother and I, “Nothing good happens after 11:30.” The Clouds and environment for successful companies are conducive to growth. Growth thrives in proper, conducive surroundings.
 
Growth environment is a place where others are ahead of me, smarter, faster, better leader, etc. Place where we are continually challenged. A place where my focus is totally forward, yesterday ended last night, it is over get over it, not where I was, it is where I am heading. A place where atmosphere is affirming, like minded, growth oriented and directed it is a place where I am often out of my comfort zone and over my head.

A growth environment is a place where I am excited every day. A growth environment is a place where it is understood that failure is not my enemy, there will be a lot of failure, lots of mess ups, learn to fail forward. A growth environment is a place where other people are growing. A growth environment is a place where people desire change. A growth environment is a place where growth is modeled and it is expected of me to grow.
 
Happy Mother’s Day to all our Team who are mothers and all our Mothers.
 
Water, wind and the environment are elements that permit us to be leaders.